Number Words and Number Symbols: A Cultural History of Numbers by Karl Menninger (PDF)

Description

‘The historian of mathematics will find much to interest him here . . . while the casual reader is likely to be intrigued by the author’s superior narrative ability.” — Library JournalThis book is not only a fascinating introduction to the concept of number and to numbers themselves, hut a multifaceted linguistic and historical analysis of how numbers have developed and evolved in many different cultures. Drawing on evidence from history, literature, philosophy and ethnology, noted German scholar Karl Menninger. recounts the development of numbers both as they are spoken (and written as words) and as symbolic abstract numerals that can he readily manipulated and combined.Despite the immense erudition the author brings to the topic, he maintains a light tone throughout, presenting much of the information in anecdotal form. Moreover, almost 300 illustrations (photographs and drawings) and many comparative language tables serve to enhance the text. The author begins with a lucid treatment of number sequence and number language, including the formation of number words in both Indo-European and non-IndoEuropean languages, hidden number words and the evolution of the number sequence. He then turns to written numerals and computations: finger counting, folk symbols for numbers, alphabetical numerals, the “German” Roman numerals, the abacus and more. The final section concerns the development of our modem decimal system, with its place notation and zero, based on the Indian number system, and its introduction to the West through the work of the Italian mathematician Fibonacci. The author concludes with a review of spoken numbers and number symbols in China and Japan.”The book is especially good on early counting and calculating devices: primitive tally sticks, the knotted cords of ancient Peru, the elaborate finger symbols once used for numbers, counting boards with movable counters, and of course the abacus.” — Martin Gardner, Book World

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐This book is great for anyone interested in the human history of our counting numbers.Every aspect of global cultural numbers is covered in this awesome book.From the dawn of the human race to the brillant Renaissanse mathematicans and Asian use of spoken nuncupative numbers,this book explains every meaning behind the development of number language systems.There are excellent foreign phrases and words about numbers explained here.We’re the only animated being on the planet that records,measures and quantifies units.This is the best tome on why and how all the ancient cultures developed their own unique number symbols and how they evolved,merged or became extinct.If you’re a modern numerator who always wondered about the historical meanings and progress of numbers,this book has a jillion examples.

⭐Bought this book mainly for a source for creating puzzles for geocaching puzzle caches. Read more just because the mathematical history of our civilization is intreaging

⭐This is one of the most detailed books i have ever come across that has put the history of numbers together in so much detail. My great admiration for a job well done.

⭐Because numbers have both a physical reference and a spiritual mystery, they are fascinating. This book helps me understand the meaning of number both historically and currently.

⭐If you have a serious interest the theories and cultural symbolism of numbers, this is a solid and still accurate resource. Though originally published in 1969, this book is a well-researched and clear overview of the ideas and concepts behind numerology and number symbolism. Unlike most stuff published today, this books isn’t some “solve all your problems with numbers!” collection of nonsense, but an insightful outlook on the origins of number symbolism.

⭐Perfect !!!!

⭐Secret numbers.

⭐E’ un libro che rappresenta e spiega ciò che promette. E’ ottimo visto che descrive come è concepito il concetto di numero nelle culture del mondo.

⭐This book is a treasure trove, a precious encyclopedia on the subject. It contains all that should be known about numbers and their symbols in various civilizations.

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